immiketoo

As disappointing as you think it is, I think it was a success. Nobody but you sold something. You have the possibility of future business and you now have experience that you didn't have before. I'm proud of you for following through with your show and I'll bet you learned a few things about what to do for next time! Nice job C!

What does wonky mean Cheryl? How was your day?

Helsing, I say try it. What's the worst that can happen? You may end up with something awesome, or you may end up with crap. Either way, you'll end up with experience which is valueable in and of itself.

Sure you're not

Phil, you should look into German tanneries. I've heard they have some of the finest leather available. Might be worth a look. I have zero specifics but supposedly they make good leather.

That's totally cool! What kind of equipment does that take?

Stuff looks good SS... I think you are carving well. Your lines are crisp and sharp. I'd try for a little mire finesse on your decorative cuts though. Other than that, looking good!

Radius gusset, same leather as the rest which is 7-8 veg tan. Wetting is a good idea. I think I will skive the edges and see how it works. Thanks for the tip!

You guys and the hidden skull! Thanks gritty for the tips. I just pulled a bunch of those clips off my storage bins in my garage! I test fir it together with them. Haven't touched those clips in 8 years and BAM. There they were. How do you get the gusset to make the turn at the bottom of the bag where it makes the 90 degree turn? Just make it and pray? I wonder if my leather is too thick...

Look. I've felt like that too, especially as shtoink puts it, when I post the thread dies. Weird. But, I just keep asking questions and offering opinions when I can. And unlike you Equus, I am more of a participant that wants everyone else to play too, so I include everyone. The only place the pecking order comes into play is when someone is clearly not qualified on a subject and acts like they are. I like to defer to those with greater knowledge in those cases, but other than that, we are all here for the same reasons

Ok, can anyone give me some pointers on how to sew the thing together? Should I skive all the mating surfaces? Obviously I'll glue it but this is giving me fits. Any help would be appreciated.

Yes, welcome!

OK, I looked at your pictures, and I have to say your barbed wire belt is really cool. It looks like actual wire on the belt. Your basket stamping is even and straight and overall your construction looks solid. The only area I have a question about is your figure carving. It looks like you've gone for a silhouette look for your horses, but they seem to be asking for more detail to me. Compared to the rest of your work, they leave me feeling they are unfinished. But, they are well executed. Hope this is what you were looking for?

I have belonged to motorcycle, car, watch and gun forums, and without fail, it usually devolves into "Mine's bigger/better than yours" at some point and the anonymity of the internet makes people feel that they are invincible. Internet muscles. Especially where material things are concerned. As a car/bike/racing enthusiast, usually the richer the person, the better the thing. Here, money doesn't mean JACK. You can't buy talent. Or a personality. Here, everyone is willing to help out or offer some encouragement, and seems genuinely concerned about improving their own skill and that of the craft in general. One of the things I have learned here is that people who have are willing to help those that don't, whether they lack experience, tools etc or confidence. When I first started working with leather, somebody told me that leather would teach me patience, and painful as that is for me, its working. More importantly, the LW community has taught me that there is still compassion in people and that this is a place where people can express themselves without fear of senseless ridicule.

Welcome Bill. A few years isn't new compared to a bunch of us, but congrats on finding the site and we look forward to seeing your work. Mike

Don't forget to eat or bathe C...

Did you sleep at all? Holy cow!

There are some good pattern tutorials on youtube and in this section of the forum. I suggest you read/watch all of them before you begin. It's not hard but you really need to have an idea and I'm not going to recreate the wheel. The other option is to find a kit like the tandy auto pistol kit and use that. It's a bit generic, but with some embellishment, it makes a great holster. Come on back and ask specific questions once you understand the basic process and we'll be happy to offer guidance. I have nothing to add regarding ostrich other than to be SURE before you cut/glue that your pattern is correct. I recently made a lefty rig by accident. Here is the tandy kit straight out of the box: Here is one I made some improvements on:

How do you learn and seethe at the same time? THAT'S a great skill. I usually don't learn until well after the seething. I kid. I LOVE this piece Eric. The colors are great.

Cheryl, get those things made and ready for your show. Be strong and sell, sell, sell! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Steal away!

Bill, all leather workers are cool in some regard, and I haven't had anyone here be rude or mean in the few months I've been here. The group of leather work as a whole has been far more interesting, intelligent and friendly than any other forum I have ever belonged to. I love it here and the sheer number of talented people is overwhelming.

That is truly beautiful. I love everything about it. Why did you stitch with white first though? Why not just stitch with brown to begin with?

Thats good stuff there st8.